Villa’s Benteke out for up to six weeks

LONDON: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert revealed on Tuesday that striker Christian Benteke will be out for around six weeks with a hip injury.

Last season’s top scorer with 23 goals in all competitions, the Belgian international sustained the injury in his side’s 1-0 win at Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday.

‘‘It is not as bad as we feared it was going to be,’’ said Lambert. ‘‘Maybe four, five, six weeks or so.’’

Lambert made the announcement after Villa’s 4-0 defeat at home to Spurs in the third round of the League Cup.

Benteke, who signed a new four-year contract in July, had scored five goals in his first five appearances this season prior to the win over Norwich.

The news means he is likely to miss Belgium’s final two World Cup qualifiers next month.

‘‘The medical people give you the best and worst-case scenario,’’ Lambert added. ‘‘You are never quite sure until you hear from the professor. Thankfully, it is not too serious.

‘‘It has got a lot better and he is feeling a lot better and the international break certainly helps us.’’